Carnival cruise ship strikes ice in Alaska, halting journey
- A Carnival Cruise Line ship struck drifting ice in Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, last Thursday, but no damage was found.
- The ship, Carnival Spirit, continued its cruise without delays and arrived in Skagway as scheduled.
- Social media reactions were dramatic, with passengers expressing both concern and excitement about the incident.
A Carnival Cruise Line ship encountered an unexpected piece of drifting ice while navigating through Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, last Thursday. Fortunately, the hull of the Carnival Spirit was assessed, and no damage was reported. The ship continued its scheduled seven-day cruise, which is set to return to Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday. Carnival confirmed that there were no operational delays, and the Spirit arrived in Skagway as planned on Friday. Despite the lack of damage and operational impact, the incident sparked dramatic reactions on social media. Passengers expressed their concerns and excitement, with one stating, "If we die, it was damn-well worth it," while documenting the moment on video. Images shared online depicted the iceberg alongside a boat that was assessing the situation. The Carnival Spirit, built in 2001, has a capacity of over 2,600 guests and is currently based in Seattle, with future cruises planned from Mobile, Alabama. The cruise industry has been experiencing a resurgence, with Juneau, Alaska, being a popular destination for tourists, particularly due to its proximity to several glaciers. In light of increasing visitor numbers and concerns about overtourism, Alaska is considering new policies to limit cruise ship visits to Juneau. This includes a cap on the number of passengers allowed onshore, which is set to take effect in 2026. The cruise industry significantly contributes to Juneau's economy, generating around $375 million through passenger spending, highlighting the delicate balance between tourism and local community concerns.